abdominal aortic aneurysm screening information what you need to know Quick scan. Instant result. 1
This leaflet is for all men aged 65 and over who live in Scotland. What is this leaflet about? This information tells you: what an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is why we offer AAA screening what happens when you go for AAA screening. The leaflet should help you decide whether you want to go for AAA screening. 2
Screening information What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)? The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to your body. It runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen (tummy). As some people get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak and balloon out to form an aneurysm. This is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The condition is most common in men aged 65 and over. Normal aorta and an aorta with an aneurysm Aorta with an aneurysm Heart Abdomen Normal abdominal aorta Fact The condition is most common in men aged 65 and over. 3
How common is the condition? It is estimated that about 1 in 20 men aged 65 in Scotland have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Is an abdominal aortic aneurysm serious? Large aneurysms are uncommon but can be very serious. As the wall of the aorta stretches, it becomes weaker, and it could rupture (burst). If the aneurysm ruptures, this leads to life-threatening internal bleeding and, in 8 out of 10 cases, death. Small or medium aneurysms rarely cause trouble. However, it is still important to know about these aneurysms so that we can monitor them to see if they grow. Fact It is estimated that about 1 in 20 men aged 65 in Scotland have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. 4
Screening information Why is screening important? If you have an aneurysm, you are unlikely to have any symptoms. This means that you cannot tell if you have one, as you will not feel any pain or notice anything different. You may feel completely healthy. The Scottish AAA Screening Programme is inviting you for screening so we can find aneurysms early and monitor or treat them. This greatly reduces the chance of the aneurysm rupturing and causing serious problems. The simplest and best way to find out if you have an aneurysm is to carry out an ultrasound scan of your abdomen. Fact If you have an aneurysm, you are unlikely to have any symptoms. 5
Who is screening for? Screening is for all men aged 65. If you are a man aged over 65 and you have never been for AAA screening, the contact details for your local office are available from your GP practice. They can also be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or by calling the NHS inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88. Who is most at risk? Men are six times more likely to have this type of aneurysm than women. The chance of having an aneurysm increases with age. Aneurysms can happen in men who do not fall into any of the categories below. However, you are more likely to have an aneurysm if: you smoke you have high cholesterol you have high blood pressure your brother, sister or parent has, or has had, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Fact AAA screening is for all men aged 65. 6
Screening information What is an ultrasound scan? An ultrasound scan is a completely safe, painless and reliable test. It is very quick, usually lasting about 10 minutes. There are no risks associated with this ultrasound screening test. It is the same technique that is used to examine the development of a baby during pregnancy. How reliable is the ultrasound scan? The scan that is used to find aneurysms is very reliable. Sometimes the person carrying out the scan will not be able to see the aorta clearly. This is nothing to worry about. They will arrange another appointment for you. This will usually be on a different day and may be at another clinic. 7
What will happen at the screening appointment? When you arrive at the screening centre, we will: check your details explain what will happen during the scan give you the chance to ask questions. When you go for the scan we will: ask you to lie down and lift up or unbutton your shirt you will not need to undress put some cool jelly on your abdomen move a small scanner over your abdomen look at the image of your aorta on a screen and take some measurements. 8
Screening information After the scan we will: tell you your result straight away give you a result letter send a copy of the result letter to your GP if you have an aneurysm. If you want to have someone with you during the scan, please let the staff at the screening centre know. If you have a disability or will need an interpreter or any other help, please let the screening centre know when you receive your appointment. 9
What happens if I don t go for screening? You can choose whether or not you go for screening. You will only be invited once, but if you change your mind contact the NHS inform helpline (see page 15) who can help you to arrange an appointment. What will my results say? You will be given your result immediately after the scan. Most men will have a normal result. If your result is not normal, it will show whether you have a small, medium or large aneurysm. If you have an aneurysm, we will send the result of your scan to your GP, who will be able to discuss your results with you. What happens if my result is normal? This means you do not have an aneurysm. You will not receive another invitation for screening. If you have a normal result at age 65, it is extremely unlikely that you will ever develop an aneurysm large enough to require treatment. Fact Most men will have a normal result. 10
Screening information What happens if I have a small or medium aneurysm? This means that your aorta is a little bigger than normal. Most aneurysms grow very slowly, and many men with a small or medium aneurysm never need treatment. However, it is important to check the size of the aneurysm regularly to monitor any growth, as you may need treatment if it grows into a large aneurysm. To monitor growth, we will invite you for ultrasound scans every: year if you have a small aneurysm three months if you have a medium aneurysm. We will also give you advice on how to reduce the chance of the aneurysm getting larger. You will also be given more information about what your result means. 11
What happens if I have a large aneurysm? This means that your aorta is much bigger than normal. Only a very small number of men will have a large aneurysm. If a large aneurysm is not treated, it could rupture (burst). This could result in life-threatening internal bleeding and, in 8 out of 10 cases, death. If we find a large aneurysm, we will refer you to a consultant surgeon with a specialist knowledge of aneurysms. You will usually be seen within four weeks. They will carry out some more tests, provide more detailed information and discuss possible treatment with you. Treatment may include having an operation. The operations available to treat large aneurysms also have risks, and can sometimes result in serious complications, leading to death. It is known that operations on large aneurysms found through screening have a much lower risk of death than if the aneurysm ruptures of its own accord. It is also known that the risks of rupture and risks of surgery vary from person to person. You will be referred to a consultant surgeon who will explain in detail your particular risks, both of leaving your aneurysm untreated and of having an operation to treat your aneurysm. For a very small number of men, an operation will not be possible. If this is the case, there may be no treatment for your aneurysm. 12
Screening information You will also be given more information about what your result means. How will my AAA screening information be used? We keep a record of your personal screening information, including test results. All NHS staff must keep your personal health information confidential. We may use screening test information for research, education and training purposes. If this happens, we will remove your personal details. We regularly review our screening service to make sure we offer you the best service possible. We use information from screening to identify areas for improvement and make sure that the AAA screening service meets agreed standards. Only authorised staff and appropriate healthcare professionals have access to this information. Fact We regularly review our screening service to make sure we offer you the best service possible. 13
You have the right to see or get a copy of any personal information that we keep about you. You may have to pay for this. You can ask the screening centre for more information about this. If you need more information about the way we keep records in the NHS, you can phone the NHS inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88 (textphone 18001 0800 22 44 88; the helpline also provides an interpreting service) and ask to speak to a healthcare information adviser. Will AAA screening identify other health conditions? AAA screening is just to find out if you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It does not look for other health conditions. 14
Screening information How can I find out more? For more information about anything in this leaflet: call your local AAA screening centre you will find their phone number on the letter inviting you to screening speak to healthcare staff at the centre when you go for your appointment. For general information about conditions, services and patient rights: phone the NHS inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88 (textphone 18001 0800 22 44 88; the helpline also provides an interpreting service) go to www.nhsinform.co.uk For information about the NHS AAA Screening Programme in Scotland, visit www.nhsinform.co.uk/screening If you would like advice about improving your general health, visit www.nhsinform.co.uk/screening 15
This publication is available online at www.healthscotland.com or telephone 0131 536 5500. Traditional Chinese 您也可以登入 www.healthscotland.com 瀏覽本刊物, 或撥打 0131 536 5500 查詢 Polish Ta publikacja jest dostępna online na stronie www.healthscotland.com lub pod numerem telefonu 0131 536 5500, gdzie można także zgłaszać wszelkie zapytania. Urdu یہ اشاعت آن الئن www.healthscotland.com پر دستیاب ہے یا کسی سواالت کے لیے 0131 536 5500 پر ٹیلی فون کریں 16 This resource is available in Urdu, Chinese and Polish, and in an Easy Read format. NHS Health Scotland is happy to consider requests for other languages and formats. Please contact 0131 536 5500 or email nhs.healthscotland-alternativeformats@nhs.net Text and diagram (page 3) adapted, with kind permission, from material originally published by the NHS Abdominal Aortic Screening Programme in England. www.nhsinform.co.uk 3991 3/2012 NHS Health Scotland, 2012